Pushing away his uneasiness about riding a horse for the first time in his life, Cole stepped up to the chocolate-brown beast and attempted to stick his foot in a stirrup. The horse side-stepped, and he stumbled with one leg hanging down from the saddle. When he tried to pry his foot loose from the stirrup, the horse took several nervous steps backward, making him stumble and fall. His foot twisted as it caught in the stirrup when he fell, his left shoulder hitting the sand. The horse began to drag him across the ground, getting dirt on his jacket.
With an cross mutter and scowl, Matilda hopped off her horse, grabbed the other one's reins, grabbed Cole's shirt and yanked him up, regardless of the wounds he suffered from the skirmish. She forced his foot out of the stirrup, saying. "Wrong side, cowboy."
After a short, confusing scuffle, Cole was sitting warily on the saddle while Matilda gave curt instructions. "Your heels are down--" She used her fingers to point the heels of his shoes facing the ground below. "--Your fingers are like this--" She thrust his hands into the correct position to hold the reins, having his pinkies stick out from the sides of his fist and under the reins. "--And don't let the horse have his head."
"Have his what--?!"
"Hurry, they're coming! Chop-chop, move it or lose it, people!" She swung herself onto the black stallion, and they were off.
The four horses careened down the canyon's dim passage, not caring if their pursuers heard the sharp echo of the hooves clattering down the stone walls. Matilda led the way, wand in hand like a sword. While she, Phillip, and Liana balanced and swayed with the horses with smooth agility, Cole bounced around in the saddle uncontrollably, his body meeting impact in unfortunate places and making him grimace. But, as they raced down the echoing canyon, he eventually found the rhythm of the horse's stride, making the ride a bit smoother.
I don't think it's canon, but I gotta give the boy some kind of name.
It works out quite well. I might borrow it for my upcoming Ninjago story.
You're welcome to it, a lot of fans use it. *remembers your announcement over in Gamers* Ah, that's right. . . Con writing a Ninjago story. . . that ought to be interesting.
While trying to grip the flapping reins, keep his heels down and not lose his balance, Cole glanced over his shoulder to see six riders galloping furiously after their prey, the smooth-haired leader in the lead, now riding a smaller, gray horse. Their eyes met, and Cole turned away, shuddering. 'Boy, if looks could smash...'
The shadowy passage widened out as they zoomed down the dusty sand, with only a few rocks and boulders to watch out for. Above the dark interior the night was cloudy, with no sign of dawn. Cole swayed in motion with the horse, listening to its exhilarated gasps for breath and snorts while its black hair whipped his face, making him sputter and spit at the taste.
One of the bandits, adorned in dark clothing and brandishing a long scythe, was rapidly catching up to Cole. The latter tried to urge his horse to go faster by kicking at it, but the horse was giving it all he had. The gangster, grinning maliciously and revealing black teeth, whipped his chestnut-brown bay on its rump and came within five feet of Cole. With a grin, he swung the deadly-looking scythe at Cole's back, missing him by inches.
The bandit cackled like a maniac and swung the weapon again, this time the curved blade catching the chocolate-brown horse's rump. The stallion screamed shrilly, and tried to escape its predator by running faster. The crook swung the farming tool at his prey once again, and this time, on instinct, Cole whipped around in the saddle, caught the blade, and yanked the weapon out of the stupefied bandit's hands. With his right hand gripping the reins and his left holding the scythe, he swung back at the bandit, and caught him in the jaw. With a shout the gangster was knocked off his horse and rolled on the sand behind, getting nearly trampled by the others.
With a sudden burst of speed, Cole's horse caught up to Matilda's. She glanced at him and the scythe, then shouted over the thunder of hooves. "Your arm seems to be getting better!"
The horses and riders swayed and curved in motion with the movement of the looming canyon, the rapid hoofbeats followed by the clatter of pebbles. The passage turned sharply, and when they turned the curve, they saw that the passage split in two. The narrow lane on the left was dark and littered with rocks, while the one on the right widened broadly and the shadows weren't quite so dim. After hesitating, Matilda spurred her horse to the left, and they shot into the shadows.
Cole leaned forward on the saddle, catching ratty, black hair in his face, but becoming more balanced with the horse's swift gallop. His left hand held the scythe like a lance, while the other clutched the reins and his horse's mane. Something hot and wet was trickling down the side of his face, but there was no way for him to wipe it off.
They turned another corner, then gaped in dismay. Several hundred yards ahead of them, the passage ended where an avalanche had fallen. Hundreds of large rocks and boulders spilled down the cliffside and rested in a huge, unmovable pile. The horse faltered at the sight of the boulders and the sense of their rider's dismay. Snorting and whipping their tails, they halted, sending small clouds of dust into the air.
"How are we supposed to get over that?!" Cole cried out.
Phillip gazed at the dead end grimly. "We could try to climb over, but before we would be halfway up there they'd get here and smash us all."
"What is it?" Liana asked.
While Phillip leaned over and whispered something into his sister's ear, Cole frowned. Couldn't Liana see what was the matter? Why did she need explaining?
Matilda set her jaw. "You kids get yourselves and the horses over those rocks." She slipped off the saddle. "I'll hold off those pirates."
It works out quite well. I might borrow it for my upcoming Ninjago story.
You're welcome to it, a lot of fans use it. *remembers your announcement over in Gamers* Ah, that's right. . . Con writing a Ninjago story. . . that ought to be interesting.
You're welcome to it, a lot of fans use it. *remembers your announcement over in Gamers* Ah, that's right. . . Con writing a Ninjago story. . . that ought to be interesting.
"Move it or lose it, people!" With that, she handed the reins of her horse to Phillip and trotted a few steps away, wand in hand.
The teenagers hopped off their horses and, with much tugging and soothing words, struggled to lead them up the pile of rubble. Stones disturbed by the movement tumbled and clattered down into deeper shadows. It was very dark, and they stubbed their feet and knees on stone several times. Phillip, who looked to be both athletic and experienced with horses, led the two stallions of the steep cliffside first, murmuring calmly and easily to the snorting beasts, saying. "It's OK, Traveler....Shh, sh, buddy, atta boy, we're nearly there. Come on, you beauty, up you go...Watch out for those rocks there..."
Cole didn't see how talking to the horses would do anything, but somehow it worked for Phillip, seeing that he reached the top first. He dodged pebbles and dirt that rained down from the horses Phillip led, and watched him disappear over the edge. He swiftly worked his way around the boulders, careful not to dislodge one that could send him and his horse careening down the steep slope.
Gunshots broke the unnatural silence. He whipped around and saw the bandits galloping around the corner, whooping and whistling...Straight toward Matilda. She stood firmly in front of the incoming stampede, then shouted something and waved her wand. He saw one of the riders aim their rifle at him and fire. There was a burst of flames and an angry shout.
Figuring Matilda was doing something to block the bullets, he turned back to urging his horse up the stones. The horse faltered and snorted, eyes rolling and showing off the whites. Impatiently Cole tugged on reins, muttering. "Come on, dummy! We want to go this way!"
After a series of tugging and pulling, he finally managed to get the horse to the top, where Phillip was waiting with the other two. Cole glanced back to realize Liana was only halfway up with her horse, and was just standing there!
Frustration bubbling up inside, Cole bounded back down the boulders, shouting in exasperation. "What are you doing?! We need to get up there fast, before those gangsters get past Matilda!"
He stumbled to a halt beside her, and she murmured. "I'm sorry...I can't see where I'm going..." She clutched the reins of her black and white horse tightly and ran her little hand through its mane.
He stared at her incredulously. "What do you mean?! It's not that dark, surely you can--"
It was at that moment the thick clouds drifted in a puff of wind, revealing the half moon shining bright in the sky. Its soft light fell upon the two teens, and for the first time the girl's face was revealed. Cole covered his mouth and bit back a horrified gasp, though he couldn't stop a small squeak.
Six large, white scars stretched across Liana's face, three over one eye and three on the other. The scratches shone white in the silver moonlight, reflecting her soft blond hair. She raised her head, and he saw her eyes. They were gray and cloudy, and there were no pupils. The sightless eyes gazed back at him eerily, sending chills like cold fingers down his spine.
Liana was blind.
As if she sensed his horror, she inclined her head toward him and said coolly. "I may be blind, but I know how you're looking at me."
His cheeks flushed as he caught her meaning. "I--uh...Sorry, I didn't know..."
More gunshots split the air, and Matilda shrieked something unintelligible. Realizing the longer they stayed, the more danger they were in, Cole said. "Sorry, but we gotta hurry." Ignoring her indignant shout, he suddenly swept her into his arms and bounded up the boulders, with her horse close behind. Even though she was very light, it was a difficult climb. Phillip reached out and helped Cole up to the top, where Liana slid out of his grasp and hopped back onto Aquilla.
Phillip glanced back uneasily. "Will Matilda be OK?"
Frustration bubbling up inside, Cole bounded back down the boulders, shouting in exasperation. "What are you doing?! We need to get up there fast, before those gangsters get past Matilda!"
He stumbled to a halt beside her, and she murmured. "I'm sorry...I can't see where I'm going..." She clutched the reins of her black and white horse tightly and ran her little hand through its mane.
He stared at her incredulously. "What do you mean?! It's not that dark, surely you can--"
It was at that moment the thick clouds drifted in a puff of wind, revealing the half moon shining bright in the sky. Its soft light fell upon the two teens, and for the first time the girl's face was revealed. Cole covered his mouth and bit back a horrified gasp, though he couldn't stop a small squeak.
Six large, white scars stretched across Liana's face, three over one eye and three on the other. The scratches shone white in the silver moonlight, reflecting her soft blond hair. She raised her head, and he saw her eyes. They were gray and cloudy, and there were no pupils. The sightless eyes gazed back at him eerily, sending chills like cold fingers down his spine.
Liana was blind.
As if she sensed his horror, she inclined her head toward him and said coolly. "I may be blind, but I know how you're looking at me."
His cheeks flushed as he caught her meaning. "I--uh...Sorry, I didn't know..."
More gunshots split the air, and Matilda shrieked something unintelligible. Realizing the longer they stayed, the more danger they were in, Cole said. "Sorry, but we gotta hurry." Ignoring her indignant shout, he suddenly swept her into his arms and bounded up the boulders, with her horse close behind. Even though she was very light, it was a difficult climb. Phillip reached out and helped Cole up to the top, where Liana slid out of his grasp and hopped back onto Aquilla.
Phillip glanced back uneasily. "Will Matilda be OK?"
A shout rang from below.
Cole grinned. "I think she'll be fine."
Liana, girl, who hurt you?!? I'ma fight them-- D:<
Seriously though, I love these characters! Great parts!!
Frustration bubbling up inside, Cole bounded back down the boulders, shouting in exasperation. "What are you doing?! We need to get up there fast, before those gangsters get past Matilda!"
He stumbled to a halt beside her, and she murmured. "I'm sorry...I can't see where I'm going..." She clutched the reins of her black and white horse tightly and ran her little hand through its mane.
He stared at her incredulously. "What do you mean?! It's not that dark, surely you can--"
It was at that moment the thick clouds drifted in a puff of wind, revealing the half moon shining bright in the sky. Its soft light fell upon the two teens, and for the first time the girl's face was revealed. Cole covered his mouth and bit back a horrified gasp, though he couldn't stop a small squeak.
Six large, white scars stretched across Liana's face, three over one eye and three on the other. The scratches shone white in the silver moonlight, reflecting her soft blond hair. She raised her head, and he saw her eyes. They were gray and cloudy, and there were no pupils. The sightless eyes gazed back at him eerily, sending chills like cold fingers down his spine.
Liana was blind.
As if she sensed his horror, she inclined her head toward him and said coolly. "I may be blind, but I know how you're looking at me."
His cheeks flushed as he caught her meaning. "I--uh...Sorry, I didn't know..."
More gunshots split the air, and Matilda shrieked something unintelligible. Realizing the longer they stayed, the more danger they were in, Cole said. "Sorry, but we gotta hurry." Ignoring her indignant shout, he suddenly swept her into his arms and bounded up the boulders, with her horse close behind. Even though she was very light, it was a difficult climb. Phillip reached out and helped Cole up to the top, where Liana slid out of his grasp and hopped back onto Aquilla.
Phillip glanced back uneasily. "Will Matilda be OK?"
A shout rang from below.
Cole grinned. "I think she'll be fine."
Liana, girl, who hurt you?!? I'ma fight them-- D:<
Seriously though, I love these characters! Great parts!!
Yeeeaah Leaf, ye show 'em who's boss! >
Wow, thanks! As a perfectionist I'm kinda cringing at a lot of this now, but I'm glad to know there are some who don't mind.
They raced across rocky scrubland, their only thought was to escape the bandits. Now that he knew Liana was blind, Cole marveled at how she was able to ride Aquilla with such ease. Glancing at her, he saw she rode with furious agility; she looked as if she and her horse moved as one, graceful and swift.
An explosion of flames erupted from the shadows of the canyon, lighting up the area around it for a few seconds before burning out. The teenagers slowed their horses and twisted in the saddles, wondering what had happened. A faint trail of smoke rose from the dark interior, and there was a moment of silence. Chills ran down their spines when triumphant whoops and hollering reached their ears.
'Surely Matilda didn't...?' Cole didn't finish his thought, for Phillip said. "There's nothing we can do! Matilda told us to escape, and that's what we should do!" With that, they spurred their horses and galloped across the rocky plain.
They hadn't gone very far before Phillip suddenly stopped his horse, tugging harshly and making Traveler choke on the bit. He called out for them to stop, then pointed straight ahead of them. "Look!"
Liana and Cole slowed their panting steeds, then peered through the shadows of the night to see what he was gesturing to. At first Cole couldn't see what the matter was, the darkness was too dense to make out what was ahead of them. But after a few seconds, his eyes adjusted, and with a sinking feeling he realized a wide cavern was yawning straight ahead of them. A rushing river ran miles down the canyon, looking at it made his head swim. There was no sign that the land connected anywhere.
They were trapped.
Cole ran a hand through his hair, ignoring the painful throbs from his skull, as well as the dark liquid seeping through his shaggy bangs. How were they supposed to get out of this?! They were trapped, and it sounded like the bandits were getting closer by the second! There was nothing on the cliff but some rocks, grass, and a tree.
Frustration bubbling up inside, Cole bounded back down the boulders, shouting in exasperation. "What are you doing?! We need to get up there fast, before those gangsters get past Matilda!"
He stumbled to a halt beside her, and she murmured. "I'm sorry...I can't see where I'm going..." She clutched the reins of her black and white horse tightly and ran her little hand through its mane.
He stared at her incredulously. "What do you mean?! It's not that dark, surely you can--"
It was at that moment the thick clouds drifted in a puff of wind, revealing the half moon shining bright in the sky. Its soft light fell upon the two teens, and for the first time the girl's face was revealed. Cole covered his mouth and bit back a horrified gasp, though he couldn't stop a small squeak.
Six large, white scars stretched across Liana's face, three over one eye and three on the other. The scratches shone white in the silver moonlight, reflecting her soft blond hair. She raised her head, and he saw her eyes. They were gray and cloudy, and there were no pupils. The sightless eyes gazed back at him eerily, sending chills like cold fingers down his spine.
Liana was blind.
As if she sensed his horror, she inclined her head toward him and said coolly. "I may be blind, but I know how you're looking at me."
His cheeks flushed as he caught her meaning. "I--uh...Sorry, I didn't know..."
More gunshots split the air, and Matilda shrieked something unintelligible. Realizing the longer they stayed, the more danger they were in, Cole said. "Sorry, but we gotta hurry." Ignoring her indignant shout, he suddenly swept her into his arms and bounded up the boulders, with her horse close behind. Even though she was very light, it was a difficult climb. Phillip reached out and helped Cole up to the top, where Liana slid out of his grasp and hopped back onto Aquilla.
Phillip glanced back uneasily. "Will Matilda be OK?"
A shout rang from below.
Cole grinned. "I think she'll be fine."
Liana, girl, who hurt you?!? I'ma fight them-- D:<
Seriously though, I love these characters! Great parts!!
Oh, don't worry. She/he's even worse than you think.
I CON't remember if I knew this or not. 
![[heart]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/SynFAxjClulYuSIRbDRN.png)
![[uni]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/mPKcREJAtrpeAXSOgaOH.png)
As a perfectionist I'm kinda cringing at a lot of this now, but I'm glad to know there are some who don't mind. 
![[y]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/WYWPH2VRo26pOFDid7QZ.png)
